POTUS
Potus, a farce by Selina Fillinger, is one of the most engaging, enthralling, and hilarious productions Steppenwolf has provided in years.
Oh, The Places You’ll Glow!
Second City's standard format, using their wit and satire, focusing on politics, one-night stands, the neurotic nun, a school for troubled youth, the real boss of hell, and two Italians discussing what's dangerous in Chicago and various acts that will leave you laughing throughout the night.
TWELFTH NIGHT
Phillips's Twelfth Night is an outrageously funny and provocative Shakespearean narrative that will have you hysterically laughing even after the play is over. It's just that good!
COMPANY
Through various storylines, the play deals with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce. Over the years, there have been several changes, including changing the lead character's name from Robert to Bobby and, more recently, a gender-swapped lead role featuring a female named Bobbie. Despite these changes, the plot remains consistent, focusing on Bobbie's 35th birthday party and her search for a partner.
Dennis Watkins - The Magic Parlour
Watkins combines his expertise, tremendous people skills, and dazzling wit, making his show a must-see event.
Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos and Dinner
The intimate Spiegeltent ZaZou cabaret with the mirror tent offers outside seating for drinks, conversation, and pictures, and the new Love, Chaos & Dinner features Chicago's own Sa'Rayah as Singer & Madame Z.
Young Frankenstein
…this two-act, 19 songs, 2 hours 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission production of Young Frankenstein, is another example of Mercury Theater's combination of choosing outstanding plays and an exceptional cast, making it a worthy Brooks comedy.
A Wonderful World
If you lived during the times of the roaring '20s and you mentioned the nicknames "Satchmo," "Satch," and "Pops," people would automatically know you were talking about one of the greatest jazz soloists worldwide, Louis (Louie) Armstrong.
The Nacirema Society
As Grace makes Gracie recite the pledge, she gets an unexpected visit that will haunt the family's legacy when an old rumor comes to roost when Alpha Campbell Jackson tries to blackmail the Dunbar family.
Blues for an Alabama Sky
Director Mikael Burke vividly brings to life this edgy production about the frays of struggles, abortion, sexuality, and the dreams of making it big against the turbulent backdrop of friendships and foes; this production will have you on the edge of your seat in anticipation.
Hamilton
Hamilton is a stage production that is in continual motion for two hours and forty-five minutes, and, with its amazing sound effects, historically correct costumes, dancing, stimulating dialogue, and high-energy performances, it's a phenomenal theatrical history lesson that rivals seeing Macbeth on stage. Audiences viewing this magnificent production may miss the beauty within the simplicity of the staging, which provides a perfect blend of the actors and their costumes.
Birthday Candles
Walking into the theater, I briefly talked with Artistic Director BJ Jones, who said, "I think you are going to like this one." He was right! Birthday Candles is this year's top performance production and a play that will change your life.
Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash
Known as "The Man in Black, Cash would wear black clothing for his solidarity with those living in poverty and wrote songs as a protest against the treatment of the poor. The play glances over Cash's struggles with drug addiction, which caused his first marriage to end in divorce…
A Taste Of Soul
But A Taste of Soul is more than just an appetizer - it's a high-energy, electrifying musical that transports you to an era when the passion of the performers was so contagious fans would jump to their feet, dancing and singing along to the classic tunes - and with a night filled with iconic moments, legendary performances, relatable storylines that resonated with the audience, and a fantastic choice of songs, this musical has it all.
MJ
It's been almost a year in the making. However, Brenda and I can finally complete our New York to Chicago comparison of two plays, Moulin Rouge and MJ.
Rock of Ages
Participation in this musical is welcomed, and go for it! Because the more fanatic excitement you bring to this contagious cast of rockers, the more exuberant joy you will receive. The theater was buzzing with excitement as everyone took their seats, eagerly anticipating the show's start. And this cast killed it from beginning to end!
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
Audrey Hare and Jason Michael Evans perfectly captured the essence of their characters, Belle and the Beast, providing a charming contrast between the kindness, cruelty, and confusion of love and acceptance. You can always see the glimmer in the eyes of the little future princesses, desiring to be Belle, with their cute outfits and adorable smiles, but I've always wondered if the little boys comprehend the concept of being the Beast.
Marie AND Rosetta
There are only a few times when you will witness a theatrical performance that is so captivating and enthralling that it will knock your socks off. A performance that will tug at your soul, bring laughter and tears, and have you walking away feeling historically blessed. With the brilliant direction of E. Faye Butler, Northlight Theatre has captured this in their current play, Marie AND Rosetta.
A Distinct Society
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House were built over the borders of Quebec and Vermont, allowing banned families to meet at a line separating each country— this is the backdrop of Fahmy's play that highlights one family's desperate need to unite.
The 39 Steps
Drury Lane's The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the 1935 British spy thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is about Richard Hannay, who is looking to cure his tedium and goes to a theater where he unexpectedly meets a woman who says she's a spy.